Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord (b)

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord.  (b)

Times of Mass and Confession:

Sundays:                               Vigil Mass (Saturday) 6.00 p.m. &10.00 a.m.

Weekday:                             9.00 a.m.  (Monday – Wednesday)

Confessions:                      See below

Please remember the following parishioners, relatives and friends in your prayers:

Sick: Sally McDermott, Catherine Wilson, John McPartland, Mary McPheely, Annie O’Donnell, Molly Weir.

Anniv: Sheila Allen., Elizabeth Cuningham, Jim Higgins, Margaret Lowrie, Patrick Donnachcie Snr.

Died:  Vera Hay, Eamon Bonner.

Today: There are lists at the back of the Church for Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Passkeepers, volunteers for the Washing of the Feet on Holy Thursday night and volunteers to help with the social events after the Easter Vigil Mass and Easter Sunday Mass.  Please sign up today if you wish to be involved in any of these areas of the Holy Week and Easter ceremonies.

Sunday sees the start of Holy Week.  It begins with the Blessing and Distribution of Palms at 10.00 a.m. Mass. Hopefully as many as possible will take as full a part as possible in the various Masses and services which reaches its climax with the celebration of the Resurrection.

Sunday: The Coffee Morning takes place in the Hall after Mass today with the Fair Trade group in charge.  All welcome to go round for bacon rolls etc.

Sunday: Stations of the Cross and Benediction at 4.00 p.m.  This provides an opportunity for some time to be spent in prayer as part of your Lenten effort.  Today we will be joined by the ministers and members of the congregations from St. Michael’s and Church of Scotland and St. Martin’s Episcopal Churches. I hope there will members of St. Cuthbert’s present to welcome them.  Refreshments will be served in the Hall after the service.

Monday:  Penitential Service at 7.00 p.m. There will be at least five priests, other than myself, available during this service to provide the opportunity for people to go to individual confession and receive absolution.

Tuesday:  Mass of the Chrism in the Cathedral at 7.00 p.m.

(During this Mass the oils used throughout the year in the Church’s Liturgy are blessed and the priests of the Diocese renew their priestly promises.  All welcome).

Thursday:                                  Holy Thursday.

                                            No Mass at 9.00 a.m.

Mass of the Last Supper at 7.00 p.m. followed by watching at the Altar of Repose until Night Prayer of the Church at 10.00 p.m.

Friday:                                          Good Friday.

                                          (A Day of Fasting and Abstinence)

                                               No Mass at 9.00 a.m.

                                                    Solemn Liturgy

(Liturgy of the Word, Prayers of Intercession, Veneration of the Cross and Distribution of Holy Communion) 

                                                     3.00 p.m. 

                         Stations of the Cross and Veneration of the Cross                   

                                                         7.00 p.m.

Holy Communion is NOT distributed at this Service

Saturday:                                 Holy Saturday.

                                           No Mass at 10.00 a.m.

(In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Church, confessions will not be heard today)

Public Praying of Morning Prayer of the Church                                                    9.30 a.m.

NO Vigil Mass at 6.00 p.m.

Easter Vigil & First Mass of Easter                                    8.30 p.m.

Refreshments will be served in the Hall afterwards.

Next Sunday:                             Easter Sunday.

                                                  Mass at 10.00 a.m.

Refreshments will be served in the hall afterwards.

Gift Aid: The new packs of envelopes for those who gift aid their offertory collection are available in the sacristy after Mass.  They come into effect on 8th April i.e. next Sunday after which none of the old ones should be used.  Please collect your new set today.

Do you pay income tax ?  Would you consider gift aiding your contribution if you do not already do so ?  Last year the parish benefitted by £9972.67 in the tax refunded from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.  You don’t need to give any more than you give already.  Why not think about it and then get the necessary form before the new tax year begins.

Envelopes are now available for those who wish to use them but do not Gift Aid their contributions.  Please come to the sacristy after Mass if you want to collect a set.

Will the parishioner who has taken box number 10 please contact me after Mass ?

The Stall has the new edition of ‘Living Faith’ covering April – June, priced £1.40 available for sale.

With every best wish and blessing to you, your families

and those who are dear to you

Monsignor Tony.